General Information

Brenau University offers both men and women the opportunity to pursue degrees through programs delivered in a day, evening/weekend or online format. Locations include the main campus in Gainesville and several regional campuses within the state of Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida. The baccalaureate programs provide career-oriented courses and programs based on a liberal arts foundation to enable the individual student to attain personal as well as professional growth and competence. Evening classes are typically scheduled in four-hour blocks, and each class meets one night each week of the term. Weekend classes are typically scheduled in four-hour blocks on alternate weekends. Day classes meet on a traditional 15 week semester format, two-three times per week, fall and spring semesters. All formats involve intensive study, close working relationships with instructors and fellow students, and maximum opportunity for self-directed learning. Students may choose their classes from among those offered at several locations and formats to suit their particular schedule.

Organization and Structure

Regional campus locations have directors who are residents of the area and who report to the Associate Provost. Regional campus academic programs are coordinated by specific subject-area coordinators who are members of the Brenau faculty assigned to each location under the supervision of the respective academic dean.

Each of Brenau’s online courses has been carefully designed by one or more faculty member(s) in keeping with the SACS accreditation Criteria for Distance Learning Programs. Brenau faculty members teaching students online have completed a rigorous online facilitator certification program. During this time, faculty members themselves become online students in order to fully gain an understanding of the online learning experience. Course syllabi, assignments, examinations and other instructional materials are converted to or developed for an online format during the training period. These and other measures are undertaken to ensure the quality and consistency of online course offerings.

Faculty Responsibilities and Student Attendance Policy

Faculty may prescribe reasonable requirements relevant to the course of instruction. At the beginning of each semester, they shall inform students in writing of any special requirements. Each syllabus shall state the attendance policy and any academic consequences of excessive absences as well as any special attendance requirements. Faculty should keep a record of class attendance for their enrolled students. Faculty should use the Campus Web to confirm enrollment.

When a student in a day program class has been absent from 25 percent of the classes in any semester, the instructor shall report the absences in writing to the Director of Student Sucess Initiatives and may recommend appropriate action. If the student is a recipient of VA educational benefits, the instructor must also report these absences to the director of veteran’s services by the next workday after the second absence for a class that meets once a week.

Faculty are responsible for counseling with students regarding the academic consequences of absences from class or laboratory sessions.

Faculty are responsible for arranging make-up work when an absence is excused. The student must initiate the request for make-up work.

Orientation

Orientation and advising sessions are provided to all new students. Orientation can be provided via group meeting or individually with an advisor.

To assist students who are new to the online campus delivery platform, Canvas, an orientation class for Canvas is available. This Canvas orientation is optional. However, faculty members expect students to bring these skills to the virtual classroom and do not spend class time providing basic technology instruction.

Locations Served

Locations throughout Georgia include Gainesville, North Atlanta (Norcross), South Atlanta (Fairburn), Augusta, as well as Jacksonville, Florida. Classes meeting at these locations are held in the evenings on weeknights and during the day on weekends. Faculty and staff are based at each regional location to assist students with their academic and administrative needs.

Gainesville: Most graduate programs are offered at the Gainesville campus. Full-time faculty and staff at the Gainesville campus are available to assist students with their needs.